Dennis Oates is Stainless Steel Executive of the Year 2018

by David Fleschen

An independent committee of seven industry leaders unanimously elected Mr. Dennis Oates as ‘The Stainless and Special Steel Executive of the Year 2018’. This award, sponsored by Metal Bulletin Events and SMR (Steel and Metals Market Research),
was given for the 12 th time to an industry professional who has shown outstanding leadership and has made significant contribution to the growth and prosperity of the stainless and specialty steel industry.


The award was formally presented to the winner at this year’s Stainless and Special Steel Summit in Helsinki, where around 200 executives gathered from September 18- 20. In the laudation, Markus Moll, Managing Director of SMR (Austria), explained why Mr. Oates was this year’s winner: Mr. Oates joined USAP in 2008 as President and CEO. USAP will achieve revenues of about USD 250 mill in 2018, employing around 700 people in 3 U.S. locations. Oates refocused the company to pursue best-in-class lead times, on-time performance and customer responsiveness. Premium alloys are now the fastest growing product segment for USAP who sells already 55% of their products to the aerospace market.

He has dedicated his whole professional career to the steel industry, starting in 1974. Dennis Oates is a hands-on CEO that has found the right balance between daily trouble shooting, strategic foresight and being an inspiration to his entire team. He has an outstanding personality, straight forward and blessed with an unrivalled sense of humour.

Source: SMR - Steel & Metals Market Research, photo: fotoalia

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